By every factor and every measuring stick – pun intended – Marissa Skinner had an incredibly successful career playing field hockey for Dexter High School. She helped lead the Dreadnaughts to THREE state titles in her four years, including a D-1 title her freshman year in 2020 and a D-2 title her senior year. While individual statistics and honors are nice, many athletes cherish team accomplishments the most, especially ones where you reach the pinnacle of your sport – THREE times.
It’s always been about “the team, the team, the team” for Skinner and her Dexter teammates – which helps explain their amazing success as one of the state’s elite programs.
“That was such an exhilarating experience during my first year and showed me what it takes to be a top team in the state,” Skinner said of her first title as a ninth-grader. “My second title came last year (2022) and was a D2 state championship (field hockey divisions shifted to being determined by school size). This felt different from my freshman year because I was a captain on the team so there was more stress, but also it felt like more ownership in the title.”
The Dreadnaughts won their second consecutive D-2 Field Hockey State Championship in late October with a convincing 3-0 win over Chelsea in Farmington Hills.
“The third title this past year was such a fun experience,” Skinner said. “Being able to end my senior year with a state title felt like a very full-circle moment and it truly was the perfect ending to my time with DFH.”
Skinner said this past year’s team was special because they were teammates on the field and friends off the field. “And most of us were returning varsity players, or had varsity experience, so we knew a little bit about the playing style of all our teammates,” Skinner says. “This team is also super resilient, we were able to bounce back from setbacks and conquer all sorts of challenges together as a team. I can not say enough how important the team aspect was to us this year.”
Among the highlights was beating Saline twice and knocking off Pioneer, who went on to win the D-1 State Title. “This was something we haven’t been able to accomplish since my freshman year, when we won the D1 State Title, so being able to reach that level of success again was just so special,” she said.
Speaking of special, what makes Dexter field hockey so special and so successful? Let’s get the answer from someone on the inside.
“I think it starts with the culture that allows for consistent success in the program,” Skinner says. “This culture that has been molded by the coaches and players that came before us is one of excellence and high expectations. When you put on the Dexter jersey you are representing all of the hard work of each and every player that has been through the program. At DFH we are always holding ourselves and others to the highest standard which bonds us and allows us to have fun with the process. This comes from Head Coach Keely Tamer. She leads confidently and by example. Her confidence and competitive spirit is seen in our team, and has really helped us to have an edge over our competition.”
Marissa, 17, is the daughter of Michelle and Brad Skinner. She first got interested in field hockey because her older sister played. “And like any little sibling, I wanted to do everything that she did,” Marissa says. “After begging to start early, Keely allowed me to play in first grade with the 3rd/4th grade team. I have always loved this sport for the team aspect. Ever since my first practice I loved that I had a team around me.”
Last year, Skinner, a defenseman, was named First Team All State D-2 and MHSFHL Dream Team. She also was named all SEC in 2021 and 2022. This year’s awards are expected to be announced soon.
In the off-season, Skinner plays for the highly-prestigious Pinnacle team.
“They are a great club that offers support and opportunities for many field hockey players in Michigan,” Skinner said. “I have been playing for Pinnacle for the past seven years and it has been a wonderful experience. Not only have I grown as a player, but also as a person and leader. In addition to this, the club environment allows for friendships and bonds to be made with players from a variety of schools in the area. So when high school season rolls around you get to play against your best friends and teammates in a fun and competitive atmosphere.”
Skinner will continue to play in a competitive atmosphere next year at the next level. She will be playing D-1 field hockey at Kent State University where she will study sports psychology. “Ever since my visit at Kent I knew that it was the right place for me,” she said. “The team has a family-like feeling and are so welcoming. In addition, Kent is a very competitive program in the MAC and has a tradition of success, which I feel DFH has perfectly prepared me for.”
The team – the team – the team!
Field hockey photos by Ryan Maki
Senior picture by Sam Skinner
